As Jamie Carragher urged Rafa Benitez to decide on the futures of Alonso and Barcelona target Javier Mascherano, the Merseysiders were last night on the verge of completing a £20million swoop for 25year-old Italy star Aquilani.

Liverpool boss Benitez has been monitoring the midfielder since the European Under-21 Championship two years ago.

When Alonso officially informed Liverpool last week that he wanted to move to the Bernabeu, the Reds were given encouragement by cashstrapped Roma to open talks with Aquilani.

Liverpool are ready to strike a compromise deal with Madrid at about £28m - less than their initial £32m valuation, However, it is still £12m above what Liverpool were willing to accept from Juventus for Alonso a year ago.

That will also end Mascherano's chances of going to Barca.

Carragher believes that it is vital any unrest should be settled before Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign.

He said: "When you have gone as close to winning the title as we did last season you don't want to lose anyone.

"There have been stories that certain players could leave.

"It's important that those things are settled.

"The last thing we want is to go into the season not knowing whether someone is going before the window closes."